Going to Southeast Asia | Introduction to key industries, foreign trade situation, import and export regulations, and investment regulations in Vietnam

2026年1月8日

In-depth Analysis of Vietnam's Supply Chain: Opportunities, Challenges and the Construction of a Professional Quality Control System
As a rapidly rising manufacturing and trading power in Southeast Asia, Vietnam, with its stable political environment, young labor force, advantageous geographical location, and deep integration into global trade systems (such as CPTPP and RCEP), has become a key node in the global supply chain. Its industries such as electronics, textile and garment, footwear, agricultural product processing, and wood products are highly competitive in the international market. However, behind this vigorous development, complex supply chains, strict trade regulations, and challenges in product quality consistency have also emerged. For international buyers and investors, systematically applying professional inspection, factory inspection, and certification services is the strategic cornerstone for ensuring the stable success of business operations in Vietnam.
I. Overview of Vietnam's Core Industries and Corresponding Focus Points for Quality Control
Vietnam has developed distinctive industrial clusters, and the focus points for quality risk control vary for each industry:
Electronics and Mechanical Manufacturing Industry: As an export pillar (including mobile phones, computers and their components), this industry has a highly complex supply chain. Quality control must go beyond basic appearance inspections and extend to functional tests, safety certification (such as CE, FCC), and production process inspections (DUPRO) to ensure the reliability and consistency of high-value components. It is particularly important to conduct system certification audits (such as ISO 9001, IATF 16949) for key suppliers.
Textile, clothing and footwear industries: This is a traditional strong export sector for Vietnam. Quality control must cover the entire process from the inspection of raw materials upon entry to the factory (checking color fastness, harmful substances such as azo dyes) to the inspection before the finished products are shipped (PSI). At the same time, more and more international brands require social responsibility factory audits (such as SMETA, BSCI) to ensure that production meets ethical standards.
Agricultural and aquatic product processing industry: Includes rice, coffee, fruits, seafood, etc. This sector has extremely high requirements for safety and compliance inspection and certification. Special attention should be paid to laboratory tests such as pesticide residues, microbial indicators, and heavy metal content. It is necessary to ensure that the processing plants obtain international food certifications such as HACCP and BRC to meet the strict standards of major import markets.
Wood products and furniture manufacturing: Export growth is rapid. The inspection focuses on the legality of raw material sources (such as FSC certification), formaldehyde emission testing of finished products, structural strength testing, and surface treatment processes. Professional pre-shipment inspection can effectively prevent batch returns due to material or process defects.
II. Compliance Challenges within the Vietnamese Trade Regulatory Framework
When conducting trade in Vietnam, one must navigate through a complex regulatory environment:
Import and Export Inspection and Quarantine: Vietnam has strict entry control regulations for food, medicines, cosmetics, etc. All related products must pass inspections by departments such as the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture of Vietnam and comply with Vietnamese national standards (TCVN). Professional third-party inspection and certification institutions can assist enterprises in pre-inspections to ensure that the documents and the actual goods are in compliance and facilitate smooth customs clearance.
Rules and Management of Origin: To enjoy the tariff benefits of the free trade agreement, products must meet specific origin rules (such as Regional Value Component, RVC). Enterprises need to establish complete supply chain traceability documents, and third-party inspection reports can serve as important supplementary evidence to prove the production process and value-added activities.
Customs and Tax Compliance: Accurate classification and valuation of goods are of utmost importance. During pre-shipment inspection, verifying the model, quantity, and specifications of the goods can provide precise basis for the declaration, avoiding fines or delays caused by inaccurate declarations.
III. Construction of the Quality System Foundation for Investment and Factory Establishment
For enterprises that are making greenfield investments in Vietnam or seeking joint venture partners, quality control should start from the very beginning:
Supplier screening and in-depth factory inspection: Before finalizing the partnership, a comprehensive factory inspection of the suppliers must be conducted to evaluate their production equipment, quality management system, production capacity stability, environmental protection measures, and labor compliance. This is far more effective in preventing fundamental risks than post-event inspections.
Full-process quality monitoring of production:
Initial production inspection (IPC): Verifying that raw materials and components meet specifications.
Mid-production inspection (DUPRO): Identifying and correcting process deviations promptly on the production line.
Final Random Inspection (FRI) / Pre-shipment Inspection (PSI): Based on the internationally accepted AQL sampling standards, this is the final verification before the goods are released.
Localization certification acquisition: Many products are sold in Vietnam or exported from Vietnam to specific markets, and they require mandatory or voluntary certifications. Professional institutions can assist enterprises in understanding and obtaining these certifications, such as the CR mark in Vietnam, as well as various international certifications.
IV. Strategic Value of Professional Third-Party Inspection, Testing and Certification Services
In the complex business environment of Vietnam, independent third-party inspection, testing and certification institutions play an irreplaceable role:
Provide objective and fair assessment: Independent of the positions of both buyers and sellers, ensure the authenticity of the inspection results, and provide a reliable basis for business decisions and dispute resolution.
Bridge the gap between profession and region: With a global network and a local team, we can respond quickly and provide inspection and factory verification services covering the entire territory of Vietnam (from Hanoi and Haiphong in the north to Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai Province in the south), solving the problem of high costs and difficult coverage for enterprises to establish their own teams.
One-stop compliance solution: From physical product testing, chemical analysis to system certification audits, we offer integrated services to help enterprises efficiently meet the regulatory requirements of multiple countries and product categories.
Digitalization and enhanced transparency: Through mobile applications and online reporting systems, the inspection process is made visually real-time and data is synchronized instantly, significantly enhancing the transparency and traceability of the supply chain.